Other News In Brief

SDLP Welcome Funding For Derry Airport

The SDLP has welcomed £3million in funding from Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon for City of Derry Airport.

Stating that the money would secure the airport's future and help to facilitate growth, Party Leader Colum Eastwood said: "Far too often in recent years doubt has been cast over the future of City of Derry Airport. This merry go round not only causes serious worry for staff about their futures, but the uncertainty scares off potential investment in the airport and airlines are hesitant to commit to new routes in the absence of guarantees.

"This funding from SDLP Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon will help to secure the airport's future and allow it to make concrete plans going forward. There is huge potential for City of Derry to expand and grow, it is the only major airport in the entire north-west of this island and we need to focus on attracting new routes and airlines so that it can establish itself in its own right as a choice for travellers alongside Belfast and Dublin.

"For decades Derry and the wider north-west has suffered from a lack of investment and one of the reasons most often cited for this is the lack of proper transport links. A properly resourced airport would make it easier for people to visit our city and create new opportunities for Derry.

"I'd like to thank SDLP Minister Mallon for her efforts in securing City of Derry's future. This is the latest in a long line of positive announcements she has made for our city including a fleet of zero emissions buses and progress on upgrading the Derry to Coleraine train line. Throughout her time as Minister she has shown a real determination to deliver on the projects that matter to local people."

Dept Of Health Urged To Act On Health Worker Travel Expenses

Sinn Féin has called on the Department of Health to act urgently to increase travel expenses for health workers.

Making the call, Sinn Féin MLA for East Derry Caoimhe Archibald said: "The Department of Health needs to urgently step up and support health and social care workers with their travel expenses as the cost of living crisis continues to spiral.

"Social care workers, district nurses and other workers simply cannot afford to put fuel in their cars as they go about their job providing much-needed care in the community.

"Petrol and diesel are about 20p and 30p a litre respectively more expensive now than at the beginning of this year.

"The Department of Health was able to find the money for private care homes to cover rising heating costs, they must now intervene to support our hard-pressed health workers with the cost of doing their jobs.

"Last week the Tory government completely failed in the budget announcement to provide any meaningful support for struggling workers and families, they need to start listening and take action to help people.

"Sinn Féin wants to prioritise health in the three-year budget to recruit more doctors and nurses to tackle waiting lists, fund mental health and cancer services and transform our health service.

"We need all parties to commit to getting back around the Executive table soon as possible after the election to ensure we have ministers in place to deal with the cost of living crisis."

Heritage Led Regeneration Scheme Approved In Upperlands

Planning permission has been granted for a heritage led regeneration scheme in Upperlands, Maghera.

The application by JHT (Upperlands) Ltd proposes a mix of residential development, leisure and recreational uses and community facilities including museum / exhibition space and works to Listed Buildings as well as the retention of the existing employment use relocated to a refurbished and extended listed building. The development will create 66 residential units through the subdivision and refurbishment of listed and other buildings of heritage significance together with 144 new build units.

Infrastructure Minister Nicola Mallon said: "This will be an economic and social boost for the Upperlands area. This development secures the preservation and future of the listed buildings and the traditional industrial heritage which is in the public interest. The proposal as a whole will also bring significant environmental benefits including decontamination of the site, the management of the surrounding dams, river banks, woodland areas and areas of open space which will protect and enhance the ecological interests on site.

"The works to the dams are essential and of the utmost importance to enable the development to proceed and therefore the final decision will issue only when a Section 76 Planning Agreement with the applicant has been concluded."